Changes to our upload policy: Quality Control!

Hello! It's that time again for one of our much loved website announcements!

As you are well aware by now, we have created a Manga resource system that allows uploaders to either upload their works to our servers, or to opt to link to another download source. Our main goal in creating said system was to help those that want to read manga (in their language of preference) easier access to it without having to search around for localized releases, or to wait for download timers and download caps, or to have to spend money on 'underground' websites just to get access to works that many fans do for free.

We also understand, though, that for some of the fans who work on translating and localizing manga, there are real costs in maintaining their forums, websites, and sub-communities who put in the effort to localize what the rest of us enjoy. It was with this in mind that we allowed the choice of either uploading files to our servers, or to link to another download resource.

Now, about 9 months into the release of our Manga resource, we've encountered some issues with availability of downloads listed in our system. Unfortunately, due to the nature of free file hosts, some of the links in our downloads database have 'expired', and are returning dead URLs due to inactivity.

In order to ensure the very best service and availability for our community, and in accordance with the general feedback in this survey, we want to inform you of some improvements we are making to our policies. We would like to ask that download links that point to non true direct downloads (i.e. mu/rs/mf/etc) should be uploaded to MangaHelpers within 30 days of its' initial creation on the MangaHelpers system. Additionally, offsite downloads (on non real direct download hosts) that are older than 30 days may now be considered free-for-all for members to upload to our system (obviously while giving credit to the rightful creators of the fanlation) should there not already be an existing working and active version of the release. Needless to say, duplicates are not wanted! (By duplicates we mean the same exact file. If the release you are wanting to upload is of higher quality, by all means, upload :) )

** The exception to this is if the release is available to read online within MangaHelpers' system, as the release is then considered to be readily available to the community.

If the group you are trying to upload for is not listed we have created a "pending scanlators" group for such a case. Upload there and the files will be moved to the right locations once reviewed.

We feel that in order to be the best community fan service and manga website out there, we need to have some quality control in place on the links published on our website, ensuring that there are no headaches for our community when trying to access the manga that they love in the language that they prefer.

It is because the typical life span for files (on the free file hosts) is about 30-45 days before expiring, that we feel this is an adequate amount of time for you to both obtain the points/pageviews you were originally after as well as making it so MangaHelpers continues to stay reliable, available, and on top of servicing the manga community.

This way, we all win!

Thank you for your understanding and continued support :)

We'll be tackling scanlations quality control as well as making more of an effort on the translations ones as well in the following weeks. Stay tuned...~

To me: one of the best news - I already approached this problem when I wanted to download older chapters of some manga, and it was on some free donwload hosts, which were "file expired" or sth like that. And now you made my day - even if the file would deleted, either it could be avaible through downloading from mh again, or avaible to read online! <and thx for that thing: better quality = uploading, that way it doesn't look like that OM crappy releases only :x>Love & Peace Vash the Stampede style! xD MH live forever! <3<3

I don't really like this entire idea, but it's not like I can do anything about it, am I right?

So anyways, how about something like this:

You'll have to upload the chapter on MH server, without it you won't be able to add the scanlation, but there will be an option which will let you choose whether you want to make the MH DDL available right away, or after 30 days.

this is somehow encourage me a bit. There is some upload that have several death link so it makes me mad because it destroy my hope. But I think it's better if the MH staff checking the death link on all series after this to delete the death link and make a announcement that give you information which one they delete so other uploader can replace it with the new one

Perfect timing o.o It was right now when I was planning to reupload the broken links for ShinraTensei... Anyways, that's good news in case there's some older file I can't get (our previous forum got deleted and all the links in it got lost... it really relieves me to know that if there's any release that I can't get, the fans who have it will).

Old problem that is it. We have many people who earn money from clicks on free hosting sites and groups who want to visit in their forums. Or we have people who like to share and enjoy the security of the file remain alive for others in the future (I am one of them).

We also have the problem of people who have lazy to upload or dislike the slow download.

Would it not be better to, when you upload the chapter your group scanlated, you already upload the file, but instead of showing it right away, it be hidden for 30 days?Because in 30 days, there's 4 chapters coming out of a weekly series, then if a group who does, Fairy Tail, Air Gear, BLEACH, One Piece, Naruto, Gintama, etc., gets 24 chapters on a month. I believe that is hard to remember, right?

i agree with that is frustating try download some manga and that it is offline, i understand the scanlators, the scanners, etc but they sould understand to the problem, is boring too for them replace the links all the time...

"It is because the typical life span for files (on the free file hosts) is about 30-45 days before expiring, "

Only if no one downloads em. Ive uploaded files to rapidshare years ago and they are still up.That being said, I always upload my scanlations to this site, AND provide mirrors. Cause after all, I scanlate for the fans.

well because of the link expiring problems and spanish sites lossing manga i told my staff to upload all of our works to MH since i am sick of links expiring and that kind of crap, but gardoni and hasj are right do there should be a waiting period so that ppl could still go to the sites and all teh scanlation groups get some money for it XD yes is nice when ppl clicking yr adds gives you money also when ppl download from uploading.com and sites like that XD so yea i support a waiting period

An optional waiting period seems to be best for the scanlation groups. I know that as a fan, I seldom download any manga any more. I simply read it all online and get frustrated when there's no read online version of a release that's made here.